Soooooo. If Karlsson will not agree in principal to an extension then Ottawa is keeping him and letting him go to free agency? Interesting idea. Not smart but interesting.
You truly have no clue.
It is in all parties interests to move a signed EK at this point in time if the Sens decide to put him on the block.
EK gets security and control of which team he goes to in a trade.
The team trading for EK, as they get one of the best players in the NHL locked up for 8 years.
The Sens, as they get a return fitting for one of the top plyers in the league.
IF EK indicates he's not signing with anyone until he hits free agency and tests the market, then the Sens are left with two choices. 1) trade him as a rental at the TDL to the highest bidder on his list. 2) Keep him to the end of season and then attempt to re-sign him...like Stamkos and Tavares.
If the Sens select to trade him at the TDL, then the return would be roughly the same (if not better) as they'd get now.
Please stop with your fantasy offers where the Sens are forced to deal EK now at a rental cost. There is no chance in hell of it happening.